SpecialTea Brew adds to tea roster

Ami Soleau, owner of SpecialTea Brew, based in Seattle, is already expanding her line of teas. We first introduced Ami who is in search of a great business partner; the hunt is still on if you're interested. For more information, check out the first article I wrote for her: http://keenteathyme.blogspot.com/2011/05/her-specialtea-is-tea.html.

Here are just a few of the new additions to her tea shop, all available in heat-sealed 2 oz packages (or larger, upon request). She sent me a few samples and I am impressed! I'm posting to Steepster in the next few days. :)

For the complete list, visit her shop online: http://www.specialteabrew.com/

Black teas: You're a Peach, Ginger; Early Grey; Spiced Cider, Spiced Seattle Chai (I'm curious on this one!) and more.

Green teas: Sweet Emerald City, Jazmine, High Mountain, Jazzy Mandarin Pearls

White teas: Orange You Cinnamon, Peachy Coconut, Creamy Raspberry, Strawberry Fields, White Peony

Herbal & Rooibos: Lemon Ginger Snap, Little Coconut Rooibos, 6 Herb, Herb Spice and All Things Nice, and more

She has a special deal w/shipping going on now; all orders up to $50 will ship for only $3.95. Check out her site now and take advantage of her new teas, plus this offer.

Ami also makes custom greeting cards. Check out her site for more info. :)

RealiTEA - Tea Scented Perfumes

Tetley is launching a new Tea Scented perfume called "Le Brew," and features a Marilyn-Monroe chick on the bottle. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1373655/Tetley-launches-tea-scented-perfume-named-Le-Brew.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

Tetley isn't the first to launch tea-scented frags. Demeter Fragrance, a fun company which offers one-of-a-kind and unique scents, has a few on their shelves already:

• Coriander Tea
• Grapefruit Tea
• Green Tea
• Hibiscus
• Chai Tea

...to name a few. I only scrolled to the "H" and gave up after five examples.

...wait, Chai Tea?! I may have to try that one!

Would you really want to smell like tea, though? As a room spray, sure. And as a shower gel/body wash, soap - that's all cool too. But as a perfume?

What do you think? Would you want to smell like brewed tea?

RealiTEA: Tea in the News: Honest Tea uses Coca-Cola acquisition to its advantage

There is always something new and exciting in the realm of tea, one of the world's oldest beverages: new companies, new products, or just a new way of using tea/tea leaves. That's where RealiTEA comes in.

RealiTEA: Week of March 4, 2011
Maryland-based company, Honest Tea, was recently bought by conglomerate Coca-Cola, and already has plans on how to reach new audiences.

According to a press release from Honesttea.com, Coca-Cola acquired a minority stake in the company back in 2008, but had the option to acquire the company in its entirety later on. This week Coca-Cola decided to buy the remaining portion of the company.

But don't think the takeover will result in the end of Honest Tea. In fact, the company is developing a new beverage brewed from cocoa beans, according to an article in the Atlantic Journal Constitution. The article also points out plans to create a lemonade sweetened with stevia.

Honest Tea was founded over 10 years ago and continues to be one of the nation's leading organic bottled tea companies, according to the release and the Web site. Honest Tea gets its name from the ingredient list of their product: tea and natural flavors are the only components in the beverage. The company insists on adding no artificial sweeteners to their products.

On a personal note, I discovered Honest Tea in college, and enjoyed the alternative to soda when writing research papers, or I'd reward myself with one after completing an exam. I've been a fan since.

If you haven't tried Honest Tea yet, I'd recommend starting with the Mango Green Tea or Peach Black Tea which are available in recycled plastic bottles. There are other varieties in the product line such as Honest Ade (I recommend Orange Mango with Mangosteen) and Honest Tea in glass bottles, which includes Moroccan Mint tea (the very first Honest Tea I ever tried), as well as kid-friendly versions.


Sources/for more information:
-http://www.ajc.com/business/honest-tea-co-founder-858615.html
-http://www.honesttea.com/news/pressreleases/